Sarah Moule

Born Sarah Connearn on 5 August 1961 in St. Leonards-On-Sea, Sussex, England, Moule immersed herself in harmony singing during childhood, concentrating chiefly on English folk songs. After completing a French degree at the University of London she contributed session work for songwriters and supplied backing vocals for the soul group Into The Red. A meeting with Scottish guitarist Alex Gillan led to songwriting collaboration and joint appearances performing jazz standards as a vocal-and-guitar duo. Gillan introduced her to Tim Garland, who connected her with Claire Martin—her first vocal coach—and thereby strengthened her commitment to vocal and instrumental jazz. Moule subsequently completed a two-year Soho residency in London alongside Australian guitarist Mark Johns. During this period she encountered Ian Shaw and Simon Wallace and grew absorbed by the fresh material Wallace was composing with Fran Landesman, incorporating several of those pieces into her performances. The same songs later supplied the foundation for her debut album, It’s A Nice Thought, issued in 2002. She also pursued formal vocal study with Ken Woollam, formerly a soloist with English National Opera. From the mid-1990s until 2003 she performed regularly with the John Wilson Orchestra, appearing on its recording This Is The John Wilson Orchestra, and from 2002 she additionally sang with saxophonist John C. Williams’ Rockin’ In Rhythm band. Among the instrumentalists she has worked with are Jeff Clyne, John Critchinson, Pat Crumly, Dave Green, Mick Hutton, Phil Lee, Richard Newby, David Newton, Dick Pearce, John Pearce, Jim Richardson, Paul Robinson, Len Skeat, Trevor Tompkins, Don Weller, and Bobby Worth. From the late 1990s into the early 2000s Moule drew sustained, favorable notice within UK jazz circles through the richness of her vocal timbre and the interpretive depth she brought to a repertoire spanning standards, jazz compositions, and contemporary pop, all interwoven with original material. In April 2005 she recorded three tracks for a forthcoming album with the BBC Concert Orchestra.